Compare towns
Darien vs Java vs Wethersfield vs Alden
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New York.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Darien has the shortest commute (24 min average).
Java has grown the fastest since 2010 (-4.1%).
Wethersfield has the most affordable homes ($131k median).
Alden has the most expensive homes ($244k median).
What matters to you?
Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.
| Measure | Darien | Java | Wethersfield | Alden |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | ||||
| People | ||||
| Population | 2,988 |
2,049 |
815Lowest |
9,871Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | -4.7% NY: +4.2% |
-4.1%Highest NY: +4.2% |
-14.5%Lowest NY: +4.2% |
-10.7% NY: +4.2% |
| Median age | 50.5±8.8Highest 27% above NY |
44.2±5.5 11% above NY |
46±4.4 16% above NY |
43.3±3.1Lowest 9% above NY |
| Darien and Wethersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Kids under 18 | 19%±5.9Lowest NY: 20.5% |
20.7%±4.7 NY: 20.5% |
21.6%±4.3Highest NY: 20.5% |
21.2%±3.8 NY: 20.5% |
| Wethersfield and Alden are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Age 65+ | 21.8%±6.2 NY: 17.9% |
19.5%±3.6 NY: 17.9% |
13.1%±2.5Lowest NY: 17.9% |
22.7%±3.5Highest NY: 17.9% |
| Alden and Darien are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 17%Lowest NY: 40.2% |
24.6%Highest NY: 40.2% |
20.3% NY: 40.2% |
19.2% NY: 40.2% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 3.3%±2 NY: 7% |
3%±2.4 NY: 7% |
4.2%±3.8Highest NY: 7% |
1.3%±0.8Lowest NY: 7% |
| Wethersfield and Darien are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Cost of living | ||||
| Household incomemedian | $88,423±$15kLowest about the NY average |
$95,129±$24k 11% above NY |
$96,094±$14kHighest 12% above NY |
$91,441±$8k 6% above NY |
| Wethersfield and Java are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $211,400±$21k 50% below NY |
$223,900±$30k 47% below NY |
$131,300±$20kLowest 69% below NY |
$244,100±$14kHighest 42% below NY |
| Alden and Java are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $863±$419Lowest 47% below NY |
$916±$126 43% below NY |
$947±$49Highest 42% below NY |
| Alden and Wethersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $4,910Highest 25% below NY |
$3,775 43% below NY |
$2,787Lowest 58% below NY |
$4,456 32% below NY |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 0%±48.3Lowest NY: 52.1% |
2.5%±61.4 NY: 52.1% |
30.2%±38.9 NY: 52.1% |
31.4%±12.3Highest NY: 52.1% |
| Alden and Wethersfield are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Below poverty line | 8.7% NY: 14% |
3.7%Lowest NY: 14% |
9%Highest NY: 14% |
5% NY: 14% |
| Housing | ||||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 94.7% NY: 54.3% |
95.2%Highest NY: 54.3% |
80.1%Lowest NY: 54.3% |
83.5% NY: 54.3% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1948Lowest 11 yrs older than NY |
1956 3 yrs older than NY |
1977Highest 18 yrs newer than NY |
1963 4 yrs newer than NY |
| Getting to work | ||||
| Average commuteone way | 24 minLowest 25% below NY |
27 min 17% below NY |
28 minHighest 13% below NY |
27 min 17% below NY |
| Work from home | 5.6%±3.8Lowest NY: 14.9% |
9%±4.4 NY: 14.9% |
6.8%±3.4 NY: 14.9% |
9.4%±3.7Highest NY: 14.9% |
| Alden and Java are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | ||||
| Schools | ||||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | — | — | — | #64 of 484 in NY |
| School district | — | — | — | ALDEN CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT |
| High school in town | — | — | — | ALDEN SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | — | 14.1 |
| On TownTapestry | ||||
| Old photos in History | None yet | None yet | None yet | None yet |
NY average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.